Dwarka

[Guest guest]

In Dwarka, Krishna is supposed to have built a mighty kingdom on a site selected for him by Vishnu’s learned ‘vahan’, Garud. The city he built is supposed to have extended over 104 kms. It was well fortified and surrounded by a moat, spanned by bridges, which were removed in the event of attack by an enemy. According to legend, the gods assisted Krishna in the construction of this magnificent city.

 

Archaeological excavations have unearthed artifacts that prove that modern Dwarka is the sixth settlement of the name on this site. The earlier cities have been, at various times, swallowed by the sea. The waves of the sea still lap the shores of this famous town, lending scenic beauty to this important pilgrimage destination.

 

The Dwarkadhish temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, is the focal point of all pilgrimages. Parts of it date from the 12th-13th century and others from the 16th, but the Jag Mandir, its sanctum sanctorum, is supposed to be 2,500 years old. The hall in front is richly carved and supported by 60 massive pillars, each one hewn out of a single stone slab. Many of the sculptures date from the Maurya, Gupta and Chalukya periods. The temple is 157 feet high.

 

Dwarakadish temple on the river Gomati, Dwaraka

 

Another important pilgrimage site in the ancient city of Dwarka is Gomti ghat. The myth attached to the original temple says that it was built overnight at the instructions of Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Sri Krishna, by the divine craftsman Vishvakarma. Archaeologists are undecided about the date of construction of the temple that exists now, but it is generally believed that it was rebuilt in the 10th or 11th century.

[Gauracandra 1]

Anyone know the size of Dwaraka? From the pictures I've seen it looks rather like a small village.

[madhav 0]

i am pleased to see this picture after along time.

 

suggest you change the thread title to:

 

dwarka temple picture, archeology.

 

Jai Sri Krishna!

 

[Gauracandra 1]

The Dwaraka temple has an interesting look. Is this a particular Gujarati style of architecture? or is it unique unto itself.

[madhav 0]

it is not my expertize.

it is vedic, very ancient.

 

does it impress you, or twin towers impress you more?

just curious.

 

Jai Sri Krishna!

 

[Guest guest]

twin tower was meant to give pain.more desire=more pain.where as krsna temple is transcedental.perfect peace and happiness exist there.only we have forgotten our position of service.

[Guest guest]

 

Apparently, the temple was rebuilt time and again, mostly by Mughals.

 

http://www.expresstravelandtourism.com/20020930/lookin3.shtml

 

[Gauracandra 1]

I can't quite put my finger on it. I've seen different pictures, and for some reason the Dwaraka temple seems almost celestial, almost space-age /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Kind of hard to pinpoint why. Its not the main tower that does it. Its the body in conjuction with the tower. Something with the proportions and the intricacy of the carvings. I've never seen any interior pictures. If anyone has some please post. That would be real interesting.

[madhav 0]

>>Apparently, the temple was rebuilt time and again, mostly by Mughals.

 

http://www.expresstravelandtourism.com/20020930/lookin3.shtml <<

 

These sources are not authentic. They are after money.

They do not respect India's true history.

 

No moghul (muslims) have built any temple for Hindus or non muslims. All they have done is destruct temple and built mosques on top.

 

No one but the hindus (kings) have built hindu (vedic) temples in india or elsewhere.

 

Jai Sri Krishna!

 

[Guest guest]

After killing Kamsa, Krishna and his brother Balarama placed Ugrasena on the throne and remained in Mathura.

This greatly angered Kamsa's father-in-law Jarasandha, the emperor of Magadha. He repeatedly attacked Mathura to avenge Kamsa's death.

 

Although Krishna and his small Yadava army were able to defeat Jarasandha's hordes every time, it was an unequal contest in which superior numbers were bound to tell in the long run.

 

So Krishna led the Yadavas to the west coast. They built the fortified town of Dwaraka on the site of the ancient Kushastali, which became Krishna's seat for the rest of his eventful life.

 

Dwaraka was submerged in the sea 36 years after the Mahabharata War. Forewarned, Krishna had persuaded the Yadavas to move to higher ground in Prabhas (near modern Somnath).

 

Shortly thereafter, the Yadavas, or at least their leaders, destroyed themselves. Krishna himself died a few days later, killed by a hunter's arrow.

 

 

http://www.the-week.com/23june01/cover.htm

[Guest guest]

Whenever i read articles that are about archaelogical findings that prove the existence of places like Dwaraka, i am encouraged. But too often, those making such discoveries then say that this proves that the stories in the Mahabarat are not myth, but actual historical events, that Krishna existed, was a historical figure, and was made of flesh, blood and bone. Because they find material remnants of Dwaraka, they mistakenly think Krishna was material also.

[Guest guest]

The inside of the Dwarakdish Temple has many smaller temples to Lord Shiva Lord Ganesa

THe main Altar is Dwarakdish as seen on Srila Prabhupada Krishna Book Vol 3

The pujaris were very sweet to use when I last visited 26 yrs ago

We played the movie Hare Krishna People for the Lord and His devottes to see faceing the Lord Himself.

There are small nath mondir terraces for the devottees to take Darshan of the Lord out of the Sun and many steps leading one up to the small temple with the walls of the temple.

YS

Pita das